RAS urges Dodoma councils to keep verifying addresses

DODOMA: DODOMA Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Kaspar Mmuya has directed council directors across the region to ensure the continued and effective supervision of the National Physical Addressing System verification exercise within their respective jurisdictions.

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Commissioner during the official launch of the verification exercise in Dodoma City on Monday, Mr Mmuya said that the activity is ongoing and must not be treated as a one-time effort.

“This verification exercise is not a oneoff undertaking. It is a continuous process, and I expect no council to stop updating data after the initial phase ends,” he said.

The launch was accompanied by a capacity-building session for street chairpersons, as well as ward and street executive officers within the Dodoma City Council.

Mr Mmuya urged council directors to take ownership of the initiative and integrate it into their routine administrative activities. He also called on the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) and TANROADS to collaborate with local authorities to accelerate the installation of road name signposts across the region.

“We want to see every street in the Dodoma Region marked with clearly visible road signs,” he added.

Highlighting the region’s achievements under the Physical Addressing Operation, Mr Mmuya revealed that Dodoma had registered 705,935 addresses, surpassing its target of 667,275 achieving 105.8 per cent of its goal.

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He further noted that 362,622 house number plates and 8,835 road name signposts had been installed. In Dodoma City alone, 215,625 addresses were registered, with 4,854 house number plates and 411 road signposts erected. He stressed that since 2022, residential areas have undergone significant changes, including new constructions, population growth, relocations, and newly surveyed plots.

These changes, he said, highlight the need for accurate and up-to-date address data to ensure the effective delivery of public services. “There are several reasons why strengthening the Physical Addressing System is vital.

These include its importance in citizen identification, its alignment with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025, preparations for Vision 2050, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Mr Mmuya said.

He said that these frameworks collectively promote the use of modern technology to drive economic growth and support the development of a robust digital economy.

“To realise a fully digital economy, we must establish a comprehensive addressing system that enables identification, fosters a safe and efficient environment for ecommerce, and supports national development,” he explained.

Mr Mmuya called on participants in the training sessions to make good use of the knowledge gained to support citizens during the verification process. He also urged street government chairpersons to actively engage residents and encourage them to participate in the data updates, which are part of a government-recognised digital registry.

Addressing local government officials at the street and village levels, Mr Mmuya reminded them that ensuring complete and accurate data is their responsibility.

“No ward or village executive officer should have incomplete data in their area. The data you are verifying is essential for community welfare and effective government planning,” he stressed.

“The system acts as a digital residents’ registry at the street and village level. Every official must ensure every resident is accounted for. Maintaining this registry is your duty,” he added.

He further directed that once officials have completed their training and verification duties, all resident identification letters must be issued digitally through the NaPA system. “You must also assist citizens in resolving issues related to street naming and involve them in proposing names for roads and streets,” he said.

Mr Mmuya appealed to residents throughout Dodoma to actively participate in the verification process, expressing hope that every citizen would eventually know and use their official residential address for identification purposes.

According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Dodoma Region had a population of 3,085,625, making it one of the five most populous regions in Tanzania. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.9 per cent, Mr Mmuya said that the region must be wellprepared to meet increasing service demands, particularly as the nation’s capital.

“The ongoing changes in our environment, including new housing developments, population shifts, and newly surveyed plots make it essential that we maintain a reliable and up-to-date residential address database,” he reiterated.

In conclusion, Mr Mmuya urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the verification initiative and to align their efforts with the national agenda of building a smart, digitally driven economy where every citizen is identifiable and public services are delivered efficiently.